A Brief Introduction to Paulo Coelho and his Best Books
If we talk about life, this person may have been through it all. Not everything but all his past experiences, both good and bad, made him who he is today.
Dubbed as the ‘indisputable king of popular Brazilian literature,’ Paulo Coelho is one of the highly regarded writers of the century. Well-known for his fantastic writing, no one would think that he was once confined in asylums for wanting to write.
Now, being read worldwide, Paulo Coelho’s best books are immensely quoted as inspirational and enlightening. He is the man who brought the stories of The Alchemist, The Aleph, and many more, to life. Thus, making him one of the bestselling authors acknowledged by a wide variety of readers worldwide.
But amidst his fame, one wonders what kind of past he had lived until he became the literary genius he is.
His life of writing through insanity and spirituality
Paulo Coelho de Souza, famously known as ‘Paulo Coelho‘, is a successful lyricist and novelist born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a child, he was treated like a pariah for displaying anti-social behavior. Born to devout catholic parents, they believed that being ‘different’ is a sign of ‘madness.’
Coelho entered a rebellious age at 17; this triggered his parents to send him to asylums in three different circumstances. In those times, he was subjected to varying kinds of unspeakable torture.
Furthermore, later on, he indulged himself in the chaotic life of casual sex and drugs, hippie style. Afterward, he started writing songs protesting against their government then. Then he went wandering around the world with no clear direction. But suddenly, he received an epiphany on his travel to Spain.
Despite all the things he had been through, salvation is what he found. This experience has made him write his first book, The Pilgrimage. It talks about Coelho’s journey to self-discovery and finding his spirituality.
And now, he is a celebrated author of 28 books, most are bestsellers all around the world.
His works as a reflection of his life
You will find that most of Coelho’s works are autobiographical. The majority of which he wrote is based on his adventures and what he learned from those experiences. His words reflect his emotions, his raw thoughts mirroring who he was and became.
Listed below are some of the best books by Paulo Coelho.
1. The Alchemist – 1988
Santiago, a young shepherd boy, indulges in the quest to find an ancient treasure found in Egypt. Traveling from Spain, he meets interesting people that would point in different directions towards his goal. Follow his adventures in seeking glory through traveling. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an enchanting novel portraying magical realism, and that in a life full of choices, you should always follow your heart.
2. The Zahir – 2005
Paulo Coelho’s The Zahir, meaning ‘the obvious,’ is a story told from the perspective of the unnamed narrator who is a bestselling author. With his wife leaving him, he thought life was devoid of essence and purpose. A life full of success with a broken marriage, an egocentric man with obsessive love, join in on the narrator’s voyage to the secrets of the unknown.
3. The Spy – 2016
Set in a time where women had only specific roles allowed, meet Mata Hari. An exotic dancer and courtesan get dragged into the world of pleasure and espionage. The Spy is a novel based on the real-life, trial, and execution of Mata Hari.
4. The Devil and Miss Prym – 2000
Mankind, are we in essence, good or evil? Coelho’s The Devil and Miss Prym explores a man’s quest to find the true face of humanity. In the small village of Viscos, a stranger arrives that smells nothing but trouble, at least that’s what Berta says. Chantal gets to talk to a said stranger and finds out about his plan.
5. Maktub – 1994
It is written. Everything in life is influenced by our choices and actions, but everything may have already been written. Maktub tells about the struggle we all experience in life, figuring out what we want to do with it. The protagonist meets different mentors all through his life, and what he learns had always been inside him. Not from them.
6. Brida – 1990
A young witch referred to as an enlightened one, 21-year-old Irish girl, Brida pursues her quest for wisdom and knowledge about magic. The story revolves around Brida, her first teacher Magnus, her other teacher, Wicca, and her lover Lorens. With the idea of soulmates, will she choose the one she felt most profound or the one she is already bound to?
7. Like the Flowing River – 2006
Like the Flowing River compiles Paulo Coelho’s spiritual and humane experiences. Talking about what Coelho’s learned in his experiences in all aspects of his life. It contains his reflections and learned lessons that saw through his life.
8. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept – 1994
We meet Pilar, who reunites with his long-lost first love and learns that he is now a miracle worker. Raised as a studious catholic, she grew up as someone who prioritizes following the rules. This book is about her journey in finding herself and having met love. By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept isn’t only about following established societal and religious rules but actually understanding them. Not only in love.
Paulo Coelho has opened up a world of hopes and dreams with a tinge of little magic. His books teach us how life is lived with love and the ability to see the hope tragedy after tragedy.
Like his books, his life is as intriguing as it is story-worthy. Which one have you read? If you haven’t checked his works out, this may as well be your sign. Don’t worry, it’ll be worth it.
